Not applicable: Reality Check on Tenant Law – Citizen Discussion with Legal Experts

Unfortunately, the event has had to be canceled on short notice; please see our Additional Program for the German Lawyers' Conference in Erfurt. 

Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues of our time. Many tenants are facing rising rents, legal uncertainties, and unjustified evictions in the rental market.

The Forum Recht Foundation, the 75th German Lawyers' Congress, and the AWO Thuringia Regional Association will address these concerns and questions regarding housing from a legal perspective in a joint event: On Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., we invite you to an evening event at the AWO Innovation Lab Erfurt invites active public participation to explore how rental laws can be made fairer.

The focus is on personal dialogue. The law professors would like to learn about the visitors’ experiences, expectations, and ideas. After all, the voices and perspectives of citizens are expressly sought. What are your experiences? Where do you see a need for action? What ideas do you have for making rental law fairer?

For these and any other questions, you have the opportunity to speak with the expert from the Civil and Social Law Department of the 75th djt Prof. Dr. Markus Artz, Bielefeld University, as well as the chair of the Civil and Social Law Department Prof. Dr. Beate Gsell, LMU Munich, moderated by Susann Böttcher to engage in a discussion.

The topics will be discussed in three groups: Overdue Payments, Discrimination in the Search for Housing and Termination for Personal Use discussed and possible solutions developed. In a concluding plenary session, all topics are brought together and discussed as a group.

The findings are to be incorporated into the discussions on tenancy law at the 75th German Jurists’ Congress and will inform the recommendations for action that will be developed there and presented to policymakers after the conference.

Information on the German Lawyers' Conference

The 75th German Lawyers' Congress takes place on September 16–18, 2026 at the Erfurt Trade Fair. The German Lawyers' Conference is one of the most important legal conferences in Germany. Lawyers discuss current legal policy issues in six specialized sections.

A series of lectures and panel discussions will be held in the run-up to the conference to help attendees get in the right frame of mind or learn about the latest legal developments. This event is part of that program. As part of the 75th German Lawyers’ Congress in 2026 in Erfurt, the The Forum Recht Foundation will also have an information booth. Stop by our booth, learn about our work, and find out how you can contribute your questions, experiences, and ideas.

The Mobile Pop-Up Exhibition „Law—The Rules of Everyday Life“ is from the August 18 through September 16, 2026 on display at Erfurt Central Station, Willy-Brandt-Platz 12. Staff members from the Forum Recht Foundation will be on site on select dates to give guided tours of the pop-up exhibition and answer questions. Come meet us at the exhibition on Wednesday, September 15, between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and on Thursday, September 16, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.!

Service

Participation: Admission is free; please register in advance by emailing Sebastian Perdelwitz: sebastian.perdelwitz@awo-thueringen.de.
The event is limited to 30 participants.

Location: AWO Innovation Lab, Johannesstraße 13, 99084 Erfurt
For information about the venue's accessibility, please contact the AWO Innovation Lab in Erfurt.

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

More details: The website for the Technical Program You can find the conference topics and additional information there. The conference will be accompanied by a varied Supporting Programme.

For information on accessibility, please refer to the Venue's website (You will be redirected directly via the link.).

Get involved early on

How can rental law be made fairer? Do you have an important topic in mind, or are you unable to attend this event in person? Please share your suggestions and questions on the topic in advance via our participation platform!

The event is a joint collaboration between the Forum Recht Foundation, the 75th German Lawyers' Congress, and the AWO Thuringia Regional Association e.V.